Program puts volunteers on the ground in Israeli military bases

Ken and Kevin with their bosses David and Ori. /Photos | ken schneider

Ten years ago, I wanted to go back to Israel  but not as a tourist. I had been there nine times before, and enjoyed every moment, but I was looking for a more purposeful way to visit Israel.

Volunteers for Israel filled that need. VFI allows individuals from all over the world to become a volunteer on an Israeli military base. I have now been volunteering for 10 years.

We sleep, eat and work on the base 4 1/2 days a week. The rest of the time is ours to travel and enjoy the country.

The mix of volunteers is usually half men and half women, some married, most not. Jobs vary from cleaning and checking parts to filling sandbags or fixing border fences – from hard labor to light work, whatever your capabilities are. Among my jobs, I have filled sandbags at outposts along the Syrian border and checked expiration dates on medical supplies.

Since becoming a VFIer, my motto has been, “Anyone can write a check, and that feels good, but going to Israel for two to three weeks and working with your hands is extraordinary.”

When you  volunteer for this program, you are helping to save Israel millions of dollars. The work we do allows the soldiers to do what they do best and keeps reservists from being called to service.

All volunteers get a uniform, housing and meals, and you instantly become part of the team that’s there to work. A typical day starts with breakfast at 7:15, flag-raising with the singing of “Hatikvah,” then off to work until noon. After a huge lunch, it’s back to work until about 4:30. Dinner is at 5:45, followed by a fun evening activity run by the young Israeli soldiers that are assigned to us.

The day ends with TV, playing cards, reading or just relaxing. Each program also includes a field trip to a place of interest, depending on where you are located.

Since 1982, when the program started, more than 140,000 people have volunteered. One of the best experiences is meeting and working alongside the other Israel supporters from every corner of the world, as well as working with the soldiers.

This year, I traveled with Kevin Dwares, of Cranston. We worked hard, laughed a lot and had a great time traveling around the country.

VFI, a nonprofit, non-political, non-sectarian organization, accepts volunteers ages 17 to 90 year-round. There are lots of people that go back year after year –  it becomes a healthy addiction. Kevin and I plan to return together next year.

VFI pays most expenses, but volunteers must pay for round-trip airfare to Israel and an application fee of $100, or $55 for full-time students. Health insurance is required.

For more information, visit www.VFI-usa.org. Feel free to contact me or Kevin: Ken Schneider, kenschneider33@cox.net; Kevin Dwares, Kdwares@aol.com.

Ken Schneider is the chair of the Louis & Goldie Chester Full Plate Kosher Food Pantry of Rhode Island. He lives in Rumford.